Repeat 1
Couple of questions -

1) So is carrying the petrol in Plastic coke bottles that simple...Just neck it up and tight it with the cap.May be include a polythene with the cap to tight up and avoid any leak.Any other precaution we need to take care of ??

2) Actually i have kept wari-la option open while returning from Sumur - Khardungla La - Leh.Now suppose we take the wari la route Sumur-Wari la - Shakti - Chang La - Pangong Tso.I am not sure how many Kms will be this.But Is it doable in 1 day,if not then what is the option of night stay in the route.
How far is Karu from Shakti,if we want to tank up in Karu before we move ahead to Pangong Tso ??

3) Last query is regarding the Luggage booking with the train ticket...(Vishwas need your help on this)
a) Can we book the luggage one day in advance ??
b) Is there a limit of the bikes to be accomodated in a luggage box ??

Thanks in advance
Rohit Upadhyay.

Just now went on a shopping spree for Leh ride. Thanks to Rohit I could finish nearly all shopping at nearly 1/4th cost at Army surplus store in Pune.

Find some photographs. If you see the shoes properly, they have complete leather, hardened toe, ankle area and are completely waterproof.

The costs of various items purchased are -

1. Shoes - Rs.250
2. Woolen full shirts - Rs.200 each
3. Camo trousers - Rs.200 each
4. Woolen Socks - Rs.50 each.

If you look at the photographs closely, the trousers have an additional patch on knee area. The woolen socks are also army issue and are extremely comfortable, warm and comes above mid calf.

@ satyen - It is ok for you guys who are riding back to Mumbai/Pune. For us mere mortals, we have booked our return train tickets so have to stick to the return date irrespective of the plan. Even if it requires us to drop a couple of sight seeing places, we don't have much option.

@Vishwas: Nice!! Those are the exact same boots i too have..!!

I would be interested in Trousers and socks..can you post the address too..!!

^^ Damn i also need the boots and trousers.Can somebody help me on this please

I can answer this one
1) Yes should not be an issue but once you book it you have to leave your bike there
2) No but the luggage van is filled on the first come first serve basis but since you guys are thinking of booking it a one day in advance so shouldn't be an issue.

Tip: Its important that while loading and unloading you are present in person and occupy the best position in the luggage van because once you are not there they hardly care about the bike.

Lol @ Satyen. Its nothing like that.
Just one more point to consider, since we (yes I'll be roaming around there the same time) are going there when the roads are just open. Please also keep in mind that the bad weather might play spoil sport (satellite map shows plenty of clouds covering the region as of now).
And riding in Ladakh is no big deal specially for someone who is used to of riding bikes.


Yes, as simple as fill it, tighten it and carry it. Though I'll suggest you to keep emptying the fuel from bottle into tank as soon as you think you have used up enough fuel from tank. This way you will have lesser fuel in bottles, to be carried.
Just make sure you don't throw the empty bottle after that. Instead it dump it at the next stop where you can see a garbage collection.

Karu from Sakti would be around 20-25km's.
Pangong Tso in a day would be tough but the problem will be in finding acco at Pangong Tso, it all might be taken up by the tourist coming from Leh. So, a better place to halt could be Tangste which is before Pangong Tso.

If you want to book it in luggage in van then yes you can book in advance.

Yes. It depends on how much luggage is already booked. But bribing the loading guy can help in case of emergency.

One shop in Juna bazar, Juna Bazar, Pune.

I thought you were the specialist in these things and were going to buy them for all.

I checked the shop at MG road also. The shoes there are costing 850 but have small holes on the side for air ventilation which makes them absolutely useless for our purpose. Also the leather & armour is not as good.

I basically bought those trousers so that they can fit over my bionic knee pads.

Lastly, all this is unused and brand new material. Not used one.

Lastly, has someone decided who is going to buy which item? As discussed, it is pointless of each one carrying a rope or medicines.

As conveyed to you earlier, I have a tripod lying with me. Who wants to use it (other than me) and who is going to carry it?

Spidey if u want me to tag along (unless you hate me), I say let's leave 2nd early morning staright to Manali, cos I'm not too keen on leaving on 1st evening, with a stopover at Chd.
This way we can meet-up with the gang directly at Manali, stopover, and start together on 3rd.

@Vishwas: Do those boots have universal sizing? or I do I need to personally try before buying?
Also, I will be carrying my gorillapod and netbook.

@Inder, Satyen, Alankar: Please let me know when you guys go to buy those boots/trousers.

You need to try the shoes. Also keep in mind that you will be wearing multiple socks so the size will change. Also for the trousers, the sizes are 5-6-7 and not waist sizes so you need to measure them and then buy them. Otherwise, you will need to alter them.

If you are carrying your gorillapod and netbook, does anyone else need to carry it? Why duplicate these things? This is what I was asking in my earlier post. Can some senior member take initiative and split items among members?

sorry to interupt u guyz, but vishwas , one of my friend who had been to leh many times said that avoid using any military color clothes to stay out of trouble didnt ask him the reason, but he said its for ur security purpose.

Phone karke poochta hu..

I would be needing it..so, if required i would carry it too..not a problem with that..!!

Cool!! We would be requiring one netbook..to prepare the logs for the day and upload photos..!! (i.e if we have that much energy left for the day.. )

Mostly this week(any time during the week..which inlcludes weekdays too) only..!!

be careful when buying waterproof shoes.. if water gets inside while riding it will be very hard to get it out and smells really bad

and why the need to carry fuel? no need. the only place where you will need fuel is between tandi and leh and only if its a RE or if your bike gives mileage lower than 30.. (the distance is 365 kms and even if you get 35kmpl 11 liters it will get you to leh easily )

besides winzee is coming rite? so why worry if fuel gets over in your bike, he will always have excess fuel in his super mileage pulsar


AND STOP PLANNING THIS MUCH.. whats the fun when everything goes according to plan? (dont kill me for this comment though)

You guys are fricken over analysing everything. You are NOT CONQUERING EVEREST, nor climbing the moon.

Its just a road, and its not rocket science.

Just pack spares, enough chaddis/socks and tee shirts and you'll do fine. Like everyone else

I would honestly say - spend time with your riding buddies to see whether you can tolerate them for 15 days, or whether you need a change of group. Riding buddies can make/break a ride. Ladakh will anyways overwhelm your senses

EDIT: God bless razorblades - smart men realize the limits of waterproof shoes!

Vishwas, these Camoflage trousers & khaki sweater sounds trouble. According to whatever minimal knowledge I have, THOSE kind of costumes are BANNED in ARMY AREAS.
My suggestion, Leave 'em in Pune only.

So true man, but i have no problem with any of the guys am riding with, coz am over concerned with the people I ride, trek or stay. These People are nothing but fun loving emotional fools, just like me
PEACE Jk

seriously mate.. lol


This is THE very important point. lots of ego problems will come during the ride openly or within heart I have faced this so, please stay out and dont let ego go faster than you

he he.. thnx mate

EDIT: This thread is keeping me alive in office